Tag: fermented

Are you gearing up for spring break? Heading somewhere snowy or sunny or enjoying some time at home? Especially if traveling, you will want to pack the probiotics. Or make that your first pit stop after arriving at your destination.

Why you should make probiotics a priority

Probiotics are the good bacteria that help crowd out the bad bacteria, fungi and yeast in your digestive tract. And 80% of your immune system is located in your digestive tract, according to “Probiotics Benefits, Foods and Supplements” by Dr Axe. This is why you need to take care of your guts!

So what affects the amount of probiotics produced by your body? You may be surprised.

Antibiotics, for one. While taking antibiotics will kill off the bad bacteria in your body, it will also kill off the good bacteria.

I learned this lesson the hard way, by taking antibiotics several times a year during college when I would get “sinus infections”, which were probably caused by my horrific diet and refusal to listen to my body. Eesh.

In the past 18 years though, I’ve taken antibiotics just 2-3 times. I learned that I could opt out of them during childbirth. I learned to use homeopathic remedies instead of antibiotics when the kids got ear aches or infections, which disappeared almost completely once I stopped feeding them baby cereals.

So please, take the lesson from me. You have other options besides antibiotics, such as essential oils, herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies and so many more.

For times when you absolutely need antibiotics, you should definitely add probiotics to your diet.

Antibiotics aside, lots of other factors influence the probiotics in your body, such as:

If your naturally occurring probiotics get depleted, your intestinal flora can get imbalanced, leading to inflammation – the root of many evils. These evils may surface in your guts, as bloating, diarrhea, lactose intolerance, irritated bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease or leaky gut syndrome, which is what inspired my book.

How you can add probiotics to help boost your immune system

You should consider taking probiotics if you have any chronic symptoms or if you have irregular bowel movements (regular = going at least once per day). You should also take them while traveling, when you’re taking antibiotics, if you’re feeling run-down or constantly exposing yourself to the probiotic “depletors” listed above.

More doctors are advising patients to take them daily, even long-term. Given my gut health, that’s what I am doing. I have also given my kids probiotics daily since they were babies.

For a baby, you can use ¼ teaspoon of probiotic powder daily on the nipple if nursing or mixed into the bottle. Later, you can add that same amount to your kid’s cold or room-temperature foods, since heat will destroy the probiotic organisms.

When shopping for a quality probiotic supplement, Dr. Axe recommends looking for the following (his article goes into more detail if you love detail!):

Just be sure they are fermented without vinegar or added sugars and non-pasteurized versions, which will be in the refrigerated sections at stores.

How much probiotics is too much?

Some experts advise that if you have an autoimmune disorder, to consult your doctor before taking probiotics. Dr. Andrew Weil says to avoid probiotics if you’re allergic to lactobacillus, acidophilus, bifidobacterium, or Streptococcus thermophiles.

If the probiotics seem to make you gassy or give you loose stools, you may need to reduce the amount you’re taking or switch brands.

Probiotics help so many health issues! In this overly stressed and busy, chemically-laden world we live in, we should all consider taking them.

And if you’re heading to spring break soon? Where you’re likely to get less sleep, drink unfamiliar water and eat less healthily? Then yes, pack your bags with probiotics you’ve tested and know work for you. Give your immune system a boost!

*This blog is intended for use as a source of information and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

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Digested

“A fun, accessible and no-nonsense approach to adopting healthier food choice habits. I have now read and re-read this book at least 5 times. Each time, I find something new to share with my patients.”